IHC issues last warning to respondents in PECA case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued last warning to the ministries of law and information technology, the FIA and the PTA to submit their replies in petitions challenging the controversial amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas stated that the court would proceed with the case even if responses were not filed.

The IHC heard joint petitions filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), anchorpersons and journalist bodies.

During the hearing, Justice Minhas remarked he believed that this case would take a long time and suggested scheduling it after Eid.

Advocate Imran Shafique argued that the federal government had only submitted replies through the ministries of interior and information but not from the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs or the PTA.

He further noted that the government had filed an unusual reply questioning the court's jurisdiction, claiming that after the 26th Constitutional Amendment, only a constitutional bench of the high court could hear this case.

Advocate Shafique rejected the government's argument, calling it an attempt to delay the proceedings. He pointed to a second objection that cited a Quranic verse, suggesting that one should verify information before sharing it. "People are being booked in FIRs and the court should expedite the case," he argued.

Justice Minhas questioned whether journalists were currently able to report news freely. He asked whether any news was being blocked or anyone was stopping from giving or publishing news.

Advocate Raisat Ali Azad requested the court to issue a stay order to prevent journalists from being arrested or having FIRs registered against them for reporting news.